9 Tips for Easy Summer Meals

Try these nine tips to save you time in the kitchen, so you can spend more time enjoying your summer.

1. Put your slow cooker to work.

Prepare chicken, beef, or pork for wraps, salads, and sandwiches.

2. Use your microwave.

Try a baked potato bar. Cook the potatoes in the microwave. Top with shredded reduced-fat cheese, non-fat sour cream, chopped chives or green onions, bacon bits, chili, or other toppings your family enjoys.

Create a burrito and warm it in the microwave. Each person can create their own by filling a whole-grain flour tortilla with shredded chicken or beef, black or refried beans, fresh veggies like green, red, yellow or orange peppers, green onions, grated carrots, olives, shredded cheese, etc. Then wrap it into a burrito shape, and microwave for a minute or two.

6. Grill it!

Heat up the grill instead of the kitchen to cook your favorite meats, vegetables, and even fruit.

7. Use frozen vegetables.

Stock up on frozen vegetables that can be added to what you are making quickly. They are easy because they come chopped up and ready to go. They also come in a variety of mixes, so you can get a variety of veggies in just a few bags. Stir-fry mixes can significantly reduce prep time.

8. Use convenience products when the price is right and time is scarce.

It is often less expensive to prep foods yourself at home, but pre-cut produce and pre-cooked poultry and meats can be time savers. Weigh the cost to your budget and the time saved to decide if the trade-off is worth it.